Free Web Novel“Yo, so you’ve talked it over?”
No sooner had Vieya finished a cup of green tea than someone appeared at her side.
“Yes. We’ve decided to accept your offer.” Luna lowered her head slightly, looking at Vieya. “But... could you make the price a little cheaper?”
“......”
Sis, do you even know how to talk?
And... don’t make it sound like I’m selling myself here!
Vieya rolled her eyes and glanced at the towering Luna.
She had to admit: in soft armor and high boots, shoulder-length ivory-white hair brushing her shoulders, Luna didn’t need to show any expression at all—just standing there was enough to intimidate most ordinary folk.
“Sorry. I don’t accept haggling.”
Vieya took a subtle step back so she wouldn’t have to crane her neck to see Luna’s expression.
“And besides, I guarantee you won’t regret it afterward. Worth every coin. So—what tier do you want?”
“The lowest one. The 20,000 gold coin tier,” said Luna.
“...Hah?”
Vieya stared at her for a long moment before sighing listlessly.
“Fine. I’ll take this commission. But you’ll have to cover all my expenses on the way.”
“Food, lodging, travel—of course. As long as we still have supplies, you won’t go hungry,” Luna promised.
“Deal.”
Vieya wasn’t stingy. With the receptionist as witness, she and Luna reached an agreement, then left the Guild together to prepare for the commission ahead.
Preparations meant things like familiarizing themselves with each other’s abilities and exchanging intel about what Luna’s team had discovered at Mount Aisa.
“I’ve delayed the commission deadline by two weeks.”
Luna spoke while walking, addressing Vieya and the others following behind.
“That gives us a full month to complete this commission. But since Menesis and Rakaide are still trapped there, I plan to depart this afternoon, reach the outskirts of the Monster Forest by nightfall, rest there, and head straight into Mount Aisa at dawn.”
“Miss Cleric, what do you think of our plan? Anything to add?”
“No.”
Vieya held Jasmine’s hand, thought for a moment, then asked:
“What time are you leaving this afternoon?”
“Two thirty,” Luna replied seriously. “It’s ten thirty now, so we have four hours. We’ll go to the tavern for lunch together, then discuss our battle plan.”
“Sorry. I probably can’t join you for lunch.” Vieya squeezed Jasmine’s hand gently, speaking softly.
Luna blinked. “Do you have other business? If you need help, you can just say. Many hands make light work.” fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
“Yeah, Sister Vieya, I’ll help too,” the blonde girl chimed in with concern.
“It’s nothing. I just need to take Jasmine home first. After all, Mount Aisa is deep inside the Monster {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} Forest—we can’t take it lightly.” Vieya smiled at them, then rubbed Jasmine’s head.
“...Mama.” Jasmine’s voice was so low it was barely audible.
Vieya smiled, one hand holding Jasmine’s, the other raised in a casual wave as she turned away.
“We’ll meet at one o’clock.”
The members of Fairy’s Wings understood, watching her leave.
“We’ll wait at the Butcher’s Blade Tavern!” Kare cupped his hands around his mouth like a trumpet and shouted at the top of his lungs.
When he finished, worried Vieya might not have heard, he shouted a few more times from the spot:
“Butcher’s Blade Tavern! First floor!”
“Kare, lower your voice! Everyone’s staring!” The blonde girl stomped her foot in embarrassment.
Kare put his hands on his hips and laughed boldly. “Hahaha, Liufir, we’re adventurers! With a thick enough skin, we can go anywhere!”
“Idiot logic,” the gloomy black-haired boy sneered coldly.
...
St. Catarina Convent.
On the path paved with white pebbles before the gate, Vieya walked unhurriedly, holding Jasmine’s hand, the black cat swishing its tail behind them.
“Mama... how strong do I have to be to always stay by your side?” Jasmine asked softly.
Vieya thought a moment. “Anytime at all. I’ll protect you.”
“Mama’s lying.”
Jasmine suddenly stopped, tugging her hand. “I know I can’t help Mama right now. Staying by your side only drags you down.
“You’re working so hard at dangerous, troublesome things just to give me a better life.
“But I’m greedy. I want Mama with me always. I don’t want us apart. Jasmine’s just a greedy bad child...”
“Don’t think that way, Jasmine.”
Vieya crouched down, squeezed her unhappy cheeks, and smiled. “You’re the Demon King. One day you’ll be stronger than Mama, and then it’ll be my turn to need your protection.”
“Really, Mama?” Jasmine’s mismatched eyes shone with hope. “You’re not lying again, are you?”
Ahem... coaxing kids is hard.
“How could Mama ever lie to you?”
Vieya coughed, embarrassed, and stood again, holding her hand as they kept walking. “Don’t humans say a brief parting is for a better reunion?”
“A better reunion?”
Jasmine mulled it over, then suddenly smiled brilliantly. She clasped Vieya’s hand tighter and said sweetly:
“Mama, I like you so much...”
“Ahem, as long as you do.”
Inside the convent again, the nuns—old acquaintances by now—immediately sent word to Lilian or the Old Dean upon seeing Vieya.
But today the Old Dean was busy and not present.
Lilian, however, was as always in the cathedral.
She stood quietly before the statue, her whole presence radiating a warning to keep your distance.
Knock, knock, knock.
Vieya rapped on the great doors. The nuns didn’t dare disturb Lilian; they merely brought Vieya there and then quietly withdrew.
“......” frёewebnoѵēl.com
After a long silence—
Lilian sighed.
“You shouldn’t have come.”
“But I already have.” Seeing her respond, Vieya led Jasmine forward.
“......”
One look, and Lilian instantly understood Vieya’s intention. Her lips twitched.
“Leaving a child at the convent again?”
“Pah, pah, pah! Why do you have to say it like that?”
Vieya grimaced. “I’ve got business these next few days and can’t take care of Jasmine. So I’m asking you. In this city, you’re the only one I can trust.”
“......”
Lilian said nothing. She couldn’t shake the feeling this monster girl was playing her, though she had no proof.
She simply couldn’t understand.
How could a monster girl be so bold—coming to the convent at every turn?
Even daring to ask a Saintess for help. Was she not afraid the Church would suddenly start a monster purge?
She glanced at Jasmine, timidly hiding behind Vieya, and finally sighed in resignation.
“...Fine. For the child’s sake, I’ll help you this once. But not again.”
